Atlantic Way Food Business Event

26/04/2012
This aim of this event was to highlight new opportunities in food production, processing and tourism along Ireland’s west coast. It was held in Westpark Business Campus, Shannon last Thursday with speakers from Failte Ireland, Teagasc, local food businesses and Bullseye Food Marketing . Paddy Matthews from Failte Ireland spoke about the big drop in visitor numbers to the West coast over the last 10-15 years. Their response to this is The Wild Atlantic Way, a touring route from Donegal to West Cork. http://youtu.be/VvPvDmogPp4

Catherine Browne and Cepta Kennedy from Clonlara Country Market.

Loops off the main route to allow visitors experience more local and regional attractions are part of this project which is still at a very early stage.

Two local food businesses, Burren Smokehouse and White Sage Restaurant spoke of building on local and seasonal ingredients, and how important this was to their enterprises.

Stephen Alexander, Teagasc spoke on opportunities in localised horticultural businesses, now that oil supply will play a more critical role in the distribution of our food. There are currently just over 200 growers in Ireland, fifty of them growing almost 75% of the vegetables and fruit. There is only one commercial onion grower in the country, and from April to June we import all our fruit and vegetables.

Kieran O Connor of Bullseye Food Marketing on trends both here and abroad for 2012. Seasonal, local fresh ingredients, emphasis on the simple, pure and natural. In recession we become nostalgic for what we once had, people are now seeking comfort in going back to their roots, stews with cheaper cuts of meat, pies, puddings, its comfort all the way!
Over 65’s account for 11% of the Irish market, and are the most affluent segment, 25% of the Irish market is over the age of fifty. Target this market ( Grey Market)by offering health benefits, fresh, high fibre ,wholegrain, low salt. Sustainability is a factor, reducing our waste with less over packaging and more emphasis on fair trade.

I spoke to Una Phelan, Operations Executive of Atlantic Way Food about our markets and she has agreed to add them to their listings. Also any of these markets who have demonstrations or other upcoming events can let Una know and they will also be included in their Events Guide. Email Una - una@atlanticwayfood.com

Paddy Matthews Failte Ireland, Birgitte Hedin- Curtin Burren Smokehouse, Tony Schwarz White Sage Restaurant and Kieran O Connor Bullseye Food Marketing.

Ballynacargy Country Market Celebrations

13/04/2012

Ballynacargy celebrated their 21st birthday last Friday, and they kindly invited me along.

It was very much a community gathering, with many travelling a distance to share the day, and meet up with old friends again.

Everyone sat around the great big table and relished the marvellous selection of birthday treats, while being waited upon by the market producers.

I spoke to Orlaith, who is the market’s youngest producer. She has been trying out some recipies and can't wait for her school holidays to get baking!

New Display Workshops

A workshop on Display will take place in North County Wicklow market this Saturday 31/03/2012. Other markets local to Newcastle are invited to take the opportunity and get some tips on presentation and display of produce As more and more great produce makes its way into the markets over the coming months, we need to do it justice.

Phil Kildea from Q.E.D will deliver the workshop on Saturday from 10am-12noon.

Next Display Workshop in Naas on 06/04/2012 Good Friday.

Other workshops are being planned.

Area Meeting Cork

27/03/2012

Our final meeting took place in Cork in the Vienna Woods Hotel, with mentors

JJ Healy and Ronnie Harrison.

The workshop was very lively There were lots of ideas explored and valuable information shared by two people with vast experience in food, sales, and marketing.

Enthusiastic members

Ronnie runs Optimum Training and JJ is Culinary lecturer in Cork’s Institute of Technology, with a broad range of expertise in the food business.

We also had Professor Ronan Gormley and Paul Foyle attending.

JJ Healy, Paul Foyle, Ronan Gormley and Ronnie Harrison.

Area Meeting Roscrea

Another successful meeting which was well attended in the Damer Court Hotel, Roscrea. Q.E.D Training provided the workshops here as well. Paul Foyle, programme co ordinator gave the background to the UCD based project.

Phil Kildea,mentor, Paul Foyle UCD and Noel Davidson,mentor

                                

The Irish Food Entrepreneurship Training Programme (IFETP) is targeted at promoting female entrepreneurship in the food industry with funding from the European Social Fund and the Department of Justice and Equality.

Some folders, packed with useful information for start-up businesss were available on the day, there will be a copy for all markets.

The social media workshop.

Area Meeting in Sligo

Noel Davidson, coach and mentor QED Training

20/03/2012

Our second Area Meeting was held in The Clarion Hotel in Sligo on Tuesday.

The morning started with an introduction from Professor Ronan Gormley of UCD Institute of Food and Health, on the Irish Food Entrepreneurship Training Programme (IFETP). It is through this programme and the funding it has received that allows us to avail of the mentoring workshops.

The vibrant and very interactive workshops then took place with Noel Davidson, on social media and market research and Phil Kildea, on sales and marketing. We had 35 members present who were enthusiastic and left with lots of ideas to move on in their markets.

Professor Ronan Gormley UCD.

Official Opening of New Ross Country Market

16/03/2012

I went to the official opening of New Ross Country Market on Friday.

Graignamanagh chef Edward Hayden did the honours. Edward is currently doing a cooking slot on TV3 Ireland AM and is also busy on the demonstration circuit.

I spoke with many of the customers there to get their feedback on the market.

They enjoy the fresh produce, homebaking and small crafts, they also love the homely atmosphere and the opportunity to relax with friends for tea/coffee and a little treat.